Ebby Halliday Real Estate News

You’ve heard us mention our friends at Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection numerous times. You’ve seen us use their logo in most of our print ads and on our Web sites. And you’ve probably seen that same logo, as well as some of their fantastic luxury homes for sale, in some of the most exclusive publications around the world. But what is Luxury Portfolio and how are the Ebby Halliday Companies connected?

Our three brands, Ebby Halliday, Realtors, Ellen Terry, Realtors and Dave Perry-Miller & Associates are proud to be the exclusive Advisory Board Level members of Luxury Portfolio in North Texas. Through this affiliation, all Dallas luxury homes and DFW luxury homes we represent receive invaluable exposure, both nationally and internationally, through Luxury Portfolio’s award-winning Web site, LuxuryPortfolio.com, as well as other advertising venues. To learn a little bit more about the program, watch this video overview by Luxury Portfolio President Paul Boomsma:

In its first year, LuxuryPortfolio.com featured more $1 million-plus homes than any other luxury real estate organization and today it attracts 1.2 million high-net-worth individuals per year. Those are pretty impressive statistics. But in addition to the best exposure abroad, the successful marketing of a luxury home in today’s real estate market also requires the best local representation. Here’s how we rank:

As you can see, the Ebby Halliday Companies sell more homes priced at $1 million-plus than any other company in North Texas (see the full graphs here), so when you work with us, you are working with a team that has an undeniable competitive advantage – both locally and globally.

A recent report issued by Dallas-based Comerica Bank says that The Lone Star State is one of the first to emerge from the recession that began in late 2007.

The report states that the Texas economy bottomed in September 2009 and began growing, which was five months ahead of the rest of the country. Texas is also expected to benefit more from the national rebound in manufacturing and industrial production because of its large and diverse manufacturing base.

And the low Texas unemployment rate in comparison to other parts of the country is likely to draw more people seeking jobs. Last year alone the Texas population increased by two percent, which is more than twice the national average.

In today’s real estate world, there are certain expectations of luxury homes. Kitchens stocked full of professional grade appliances that would meet the needs of even the most discerning chef, living rooms large enough to accommodate glamorous cocktail parties for charitable events, master baths that make everyday a spa day – you know the drill.

But today’s luxury homeowners are branching out and maximizing the luxury quality of every space in their home. And that’s the topic of the latest LuxeTrends newsletter from our friends at Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection. For example:

The home office is brought to a whole new level with the Siamun Executive Office desk where with a push of a button, your 22-inch computer monitor rises into view.

With the help of Cinema Design Group International, luxury home movie rooms can be enhanced to rival even the most technologically advanced public theater – check out the photo above. Yes, that’s a home theater.

The Census Bureau released their annual metropolitan area population estimates today and cities in Texas were among the fastest growing in 2009.

In fact, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston added more than 140,000 people to each of their populations while Austin had the second highest growth rate among the top cities. And in the past decade, Dallas has added 1.3 million people, which is more than any other city.

Why did Texas fare so favorably? William Frey, a demographer for the Brookings Institute had this explanation:

“Texas stands as the most prominent Sun Belt survivor of the last half of the decade because of its diversified economy, smaller run-ups in housing prices and fewer foreclosures,”

These figures are a good indication of what to expect when the full 2010 census results are released in December.

To learn more about the Census Bureau’s annual metropolitan area population estimates, read the full article at CNNMoney.com.

And if you know someone moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex who is in need of a home, let them know they can find some of the best Dallas homes for sale and DFW homes for sale at the Web site recently named one of the industry’s best by the Web Marketing Association, ebby.com.

The March/April issue of D Home Magazine has just arrived and in addition to dishing on the favorite finds of local Dallas designers, this issue also dubs two homes listed by The Ebby Halliday Companies as “Hot Properties”.

For each issue, D Home Real Estate Editor, Candy Evans, chooses a handful of homes from across the Metroplex which she considers to be the some of the best deals or most notable listings of all the homes currently available for sale.

A 4 bedroom, 5.1 bath ranch home on 1.3 acres which was renovated in 2002. Notable features include a wine room, state-of-the-art kitchen, master suite with a spa bath, including a steam shower, a hidden 800-pound gun safe and guest apartment. This home is listed by Judy Steinberg of Ellen Terry, Realtors.

This three story Bryan Place Brownstone sits on a 35′ x 85′ lot and has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, study, 2 living areas and a rear yard. The best part is the large rooftop deck with hot tub and pergola which boasts 360-degree views of Downtown and surrounding Dallas. This home is listed by Chris Hickman & John C. Weber of the Hickman + Weber Group with Ebby Halliday, Realtors.

To see the rest of the “Hot Properties”, be sure and pick up a copy of the March/April issue of D Home magazine on newsstands now, or visit DMagazine.com.

To find “Hot Properties” of your own, search the Web site recently named one of the industry’s best by the Web Marketing Association, ebby.com.

Retention speaks volumes about the quality of a company, which is why Ebby Halliday, Realtors is proud to this year honor 17 employees and Associates who are celebrating their 25th Anniversary with our company.

Yesterday, Company President & CEO Mary Frances Burleson and Betty Misko, vice president & director of sales offices, hosted a High Tea Celebration for those 17 individuals who celebrated their 25th consecutive year with Ebby Halliday in 2009. Held in the Director’s Room at Prestonwood Country Club, honorees enjoyed tea, scones, petit fours and shared stories of their very first sale upon entering the real estate profession. They were also presented with 25 year diamond pins.

For all those mid-century modern enthusiasts – this one is for you! Candy Evans and D Magazine have chosen another Ebby listing as their “D Sale of the Week”. This week it’s the incredible University Park home at 3521 Villanova, listed by Ebby Associate Linda Jordan Hobbs.

This gem is full of great original features such as the flagstone brick fireplace and cork floors. In fact, according to Candy, basically the only thing missing in this Dallas home for sale is June Cleaver.

And as a bonus, it’s located on an almost .25 acre lot, near Preston Center and NorthPark Center in Highland Park ISD. Not a bad combination.

Mary Frances speech topic was Women in Today s Market Place . She shared with the audience how she came to Ebby Halliday, Realtors more than 50 years ago as Ebby s secretary and how her rise through the management ranks has mirrored the growth of the company. Today, she oversees the largest independently owned residential real estate company in Texas, which is also ranked among the top 10 nationwide out of all real estate companies.

Her advice to women in today s business world was to seek an individual to serve as a professional mentor as well as to give back to the business community by serving as a mentor to others. She also stressed the importance of hard work and dedication and ended with her signature piece of advice:

Executive Women International is an organization that brings together key individuals from diverse businesses for the purpose of promoting member firms, enhancing personal and professional development and encouraging community involvement.

Ebby Halliday is serving as the Title Sponsor for the 2010 EWI Gayle Rose Scholarship Golf Classic on Friday, June 18 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and range from $300 to $2,500. Proceeds benefit the EWI Dallas scholarship programs and philanthropic community initiatives. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Sherry Adams at 972-980-6612 or sherryadams@ebby.com.